Media wait for Kate Middleton outside London hospital

RAJ Venkat sells the odd ladder from time-to-time from his central London general store.

But shortly after lunch yesterday he thought there must have been a giant DIY renovation project going on as his till rang hot with sales of painters’ step ladders.

“I didn’t know what was going on, everybody all arrived and were buying ladders and they were carrying big cameras and these things,” the Edgeware Road Select & Save outlet shopkeeper said.

“I sold many, I have many more at the back, very popular the big one for 59 pounds (AUD$97), but I don’t know what started it.”

What started it was Westminster Council rangers erecting “parking suspended” signs outside the front doors of the nearby St Mary’s Hospital for an undisclosed “event”.

The somewhat understated event is to be the birth of the future third in line to the throne, Prince William and Kate’s baby, and the signs sparked panic among the world press that a royal arrival was imminent.

Kate MiddletonSource:Getty Images

The media descended en masse to buy ladders to stake their position and get an elevated view of the hospital’s Lindo Wing’s front doors.

It begins.

Dozens of media crews from across the globe have started around the clock rosters to monitor the hospital and the arrival of the Duchess of Cambridge who is expected to give birth any day from today. Masking tape plastered to the ground provide a hopscotch of designated spaces for waiting media crews from Britain, across the US and most Asian news agencies. Many agencies have hired young staff for midnight to dawn shifts to hold vantage positions.

The council was not taking any chances either on just when the duke and duchess of Cambridge’s baby is due and their signs ban parking along the street outside the doors from July 1 to 23.59 hrs on July 31. The suspended parking bays will make it easier for the royal entourage including a security detail to park as well as official visitors to come and go. The large hospital’s precinct’s “Hopper Bus” run has also now been rerouted away from the area till the end of the month.

There has been no confirmation from Kensington Palace as to when the baby is due but it is known to be sometime from now till mid July. Prince William has already said he wants to be present for the birth and will rush from Wales where he is serving wife his RAF search and rescue helicopter unit.

The press pack gathered outside St Mary's on Monday admitted they had little new information about the birth, but after one camera crew arrived early that morning, many felt they had little choice but to go down and secure their own spot.

Royal baby - mediaSource:AFP

The birth of a new heir to the throne is a global news sensation, particularly given the popularity of William and Catherine, whose 2011 wedding was watched by an estimated two billion people worldwide.

Catherine has not been seen in public since June 15 when she joined the royal family at the Trooping of the Colour, the military parade marking Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday.